Notes from the Green Grocer -- Nov. 22, 2005

"Many people eat sweet potatoes only on Thanksgiving, and that's a shame, since they're among the most nutritious of vegetables. Their bright color is a key to their high beta-carotene content, and they also contain the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin. Eaten with the skin, a baked sweet potato is an excellent fiber source (about half of which is soluble). And these naturally sweet treats supply substantial amounts of vitamins C and B6, and manganese, as well as a small amount of potassium. "

More on Sweet Potatoes from Whole Earth Foods. . .

LETTUCE MARKET:  Iceberg Lettuce: Transition is in full swing; Yuma is starting but there is still plenty of good product in Huron; pricing is unchanged. Romaine: Transition to Yuma and the California desert will take place this week; product is a little short so prices are edging up slightly. Green Leaf, Boston, and Red Leaf: Same story here. Romaine Hearts: Still shipping out of the north, quality remains excellent…

TOMATO UPDATE:  Roma Tomatoes: The market is low; quality remains excellent. Two Layer Repack Tomatoes and Loose Tomatoes: The market is steady with larger sizes at higher prices. Cherry Tomatoes: Supply is good; prices are unchanged. Yellow Tomatoes: Supplies are very short; prices are very high. Grape Tomatoes and Teardrops: Northern growers are winding down causing a short supply in the market and much higher prices. Heirloom Tomatoes: The season is over with the exception of some excellent organic product; prices are a little high but the quality is excellent...

FRESH FRUITS: California Haas Avocados: Chilean quality remains good; prices are up slightly; countdown to California fruit is about 3 more weeks. Cherries: Good supplies of excellent quality Chilean bings are available; prices are affordable. Figs: Cool weather has tightened up supplies; prices are high. Cantaloupes: Supplies are much improved, as is the quality; prices are kind of high. Honeydews: Supplies are improving; prices are down. Mixed Melons: This weeks offering include Galia, Orange Honeydew, and Tuscan Melons. Watermelon: Quality is improving: prices are up. Green and Red Grapes: California quality is still good; prices are strong on both colors. Lemons: Supplies are good; no change in price. Limes: Prices remain high. Juicing Oranges: California Valencia’s are in good supply; prices are good; local navels are available but sugar content is low; we are going to wait another week. Grapefruit: Texas Rio stars quality is excellent. Hawaiian Papayas: Color is short; prices are up. Pineapples: Supplies are better; small size 2 layer surface fruit is available. Plums: Finished until Chili starts. Nectarines: Finished for the season. Peaches: Finished for the season too, Chilean and Mexican fruit still a few weeks away. There are good supplies of Apples, Cranberries, Kiwi’s, Gold Kiwi’s, Mangoes, Pomegranates, and Pears . . .

FRESH VEGETABLES:  Artichokes: Quality is good and prices are the same. Asparagus: Quality remains excellent and prices are the same. Bok Choy and Napa Cabbage: Prices are still high; product is short. Blue Lake Beans: Beans out of the north are cheaper but quality is not as good; desert beans are more expensive but the quality makes it worth the price. Broccoli: Prices are still depressed; quality is still good. Cauliflower: The market is unchanged; prices are low. Cabbage: Prices on California green remain high; red cabbage is still short and prices are high too. Celery: Supplies are short due to thanksgiving demand; expect lower prices by the weekend. Cucumbers: Prices are still strong; supplies are light. Eggplant: Quality is good; prices are unchanged. Red Onions: Prices are still low. Yellow Onions: Supplies are good; Idaho and Oregon are still the best. White Onions: Prices are the same. Curly Parsley and Italian Parsley: Supplies are short and prices are up on the curly kind. Green Bell Peppers: Prices are up. Red and Gold Bell Peppers: Prices are up; quality is still very good. Squash: Gold Zucchini: Supplies are extremely short; prices are up; anything in the yellow squash department is demanding premium prices. Green Zucchini: Supplies are improving; prices are down. French Haricot Vert Beans: Prices are about the same as last week. Baby Peeled Carrots with Tops: Short, short, short; prices are off strong. Yellow Wax Beans: Still short; prices are firm. Baby Squashes: Not much change; all varieties are available. There are good supplies of Chard, Kale, Carrots, China Peas, Hard Squashes, Snow Peas, and Yams...

As with all fresh fruits and vegetables, the market could change daily . . .

Further description of all the fruits and vegetables mentioned above can be found at Whole Health Foods and Wegman's Online Produce Encylopedia.


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